Pokemon GO fans, prepare for update excitement

Pokemon GO developer Niantic has today announced the biggest single update to the game since its release in 2016.

The update, which went live on Thursday morning, includes additions like additional customisation options for players, changes to the battle system and new evolutionary items and berries.

These changes aim to improve the game for fans still regularly playing while hopefully reigniting interest in the title for people that might have fallen off since its original release when it seemed like everyone in the world was playing.

But by far the biggest, and most overdue of these is the addition of 80 ‘new’ Pokemon from what’s referred to by fans as ‘Gen 2’ or the Johto region. Or to put it in even simpler terms, Pokemon from the Gold, Silver and Crystal versions of Pokemon on Gameboy Color.

Niantic/The Pokémon Company

“More than 80 Pokémon that were originally discovered in the Johto region in the Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver video games, as well as Pokémon with gender-specific variations, will start rolling out in Pokémon GO.”

While Pokemon GO might have fallen out of the mainstream, the game has continued to maintain success with the app still regularly appearing in the App Store’s top 20 highest grossing apps.

While Niantic and Apple have been hesitant to release official numbers, a report by market researcher App Annie suggested Pokémon Go generated an estimated $950 million in revenue in 2016.

You can download Pokemon GO on the iOS App Store and Google Play.

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This update is still missing many features players have been asking for since release like long-requested multiplayer and trading options but Niantic has been prolifically adding new features and tweaks to game since its release in July last year. Changes to the way Pokemon can be encountered were welcomed by fans and Apple Watch support was added just before Christmas in 2016.